1. Opportunities and Challenges for Small Scale Biomass Heat and Power Systems in Alabama Dave Gamble Green Energy Technologies

2. Small Scale Systems How Small? How Small? To operate a vehicle – To operate a vehicle – To operate lumber dry kilns - To operate lumber dry kilns - To operate saw mills - To operate saw mills - To operate poultry processing plants - To operate poultry processing plants - To operate brick kilns – To operate brick kilns – Up to 20 MMBTU/Hr as thermal energy Up to 20 MMBTU/Hr as thermal energy Up to 1000 KW as electrical energy Up to 1000 KW as electrical energy

3. Types of Systems Combustion – Biomass Fuels Combustion – Biomass Fuels Proven Technologies Proven Technologies Gasification – Biomass Fuels Gasification – Biomass Fuels New Technologies New Technologies Beginning to gain acceptance Beginning to gain acceptance Sizes up to 10 MMBTU/Hr available Sizes up to 10 MMBTU/Hr available Bigger sizes too costly for Small Systems Bigger sizes too costly for Small Systems Landfill Gas Recovery Landfill Gas Recovery

4. Challanges Keep capital costs low Keep capital costs low Gasification systems are a move in the right direction, the bio-gas can be used in existing boilers and engine generators Gasification systems are a move in the right direction, the bio-gas can be used in existing boilers and engine generators Does not require special boilers or steam turbine generator systems Does not require special boilers or steam turbine generator systems Keep fuel costs low Keep fuel costs low Utilize waste materials Utilize waste materials Utilize low cost wood residuals from forests Utilize low cost wood residuals from forests Utilize agri-wastes such as cotton hulls or peanut shells Utilize agri-wastes such as cotton hulls or peanut shells

5. Keep Capital Cost Low A real worthy technology A real worthy technology Too many Contenders Too many Contenders We must select a few great candidates We must select a few great candidates We must help pass the word on those that can make the cut We must help pass the word on those that can make the cut We must help those who have a real worthy technology We must help those who have a real worthy technology

6. Keep Capital Cost Low A corporate commitment A corporate commitment Consumers can make a big impact Consumers can make a big impact A commitment by key consumers can create a market for these worthy technologies A commitment by key consumers can create a market for these worthy technologies Example – Jenkins Brick Company Example – Jenkins Brick Company Utilizing landfill gas for drying of bricks Utilizing landfill gas for drying of bricks Example – AMCO Produce Example – AMCO Produce Utilizing wood wastes to replace natural gas for heating Utilizing wood wastes to replace natural gas for heating

7. Opportunities overcoming the obstacles There are many businesses that can utilize Biomass Energy, if….. There are many businesses that can utilize Biomass Energy, if….. Fuel supplies can be guaranteed Fuel supplies can be guaranteed Technologies can be represented by Bankable manufacturers. Technologies can be represented by Bankable manufacturers. Suppliers are viewed as Bankable by lending institutions. Suppliers are viewed as Bankable by lending institutions.

8. Opportunities overcoming the obstacles There are many businesses that can utilize Biomass Energy, if….. There are many businesses that can utilize Biomass Energy, if….. Fuel supplies can be guaranteed Fuel supplies can be guaranteed The risk is that fuel prices will increase over time The risk is that fuel prices will increase over time The risk is that the supply will disappear The risk is that the supply will disappear The risk is that the fuel may become more valuable to others The risk is that the fuel may become more valuable to others

9. Opportunities overcoming the obstacles There are many businesses that can utilize Biomass Energy, if….. There are many businesses that can utilize Biomass Energy, if….. Technologies can be represented by Bankable manufacturers. Technologies can be represented by Bankable manufacturers. Small companies do not give potential customers a real sense of being established Small companies do not give potential customers a real sense of being established Startup companies are a source of great concern to those making equipment loans or leases Startup companies are a source of great concern to those making equipment loans or leases

10. Opportunities overcoming the obstacles There are many businesses that can utilize Biomass Energy, if….. There are many businesses that can utilize Biomass Energy, if….. Suppliers are viewed as Bankable by lending institutions. Suppliers are viewed as Bankable by lending institutions. This is probably the biggest single obstacle to developing the small biomass energy systems. This is probably the biggest single obstacle to developing the small biomass energy systems.

11. Opportunities Even with the obstacles, there are systems that will be installed. Even with the obstacles, there are systems that will be installed. These will be in the areas of greatest need, and consequently where some levels of risk will be tolerated. These will be in the areas of greatest need, and consequently where some levels of risk will be tolerated. These will be in places where energy is consumed in large quantities and/or waste disposal is a critical issue. These will be in places where energy is consumed in large quantities and/or waste disposal is a critical issue. And, where the wastes can be converted to energy. And, where the wastes can be converted to energy. This is what the past has shown to us… This is what the past has shown to us… Paper mills, saw mills, furniture manufacturers, are great examples Paper mills, saw mills, furniture manufacturers, are great examples And, we should really listen to what the past has to tell us… And, we should really listen to what the past has to tell us… Convert low cost feedstocks into high priced energy Convert low cost feedstocks into high priced energy

12. Wood Gasifier at Brick Manufacturer

13. Gasifier Operating on Chicken Litter Courtesy of Power Reclamation, Inc. NOAH Clean Burning Cool Fuel Gas Generator

14. Using Switchgrass Courtesy of Power Reclamation, Inc. NOAH Clean Burning Cool Fuel Gas Generator

15. Landfill Gas Supplies

16. LFG as a Waste Product

17. LFG to Energy

18. A Real Challenge an opportunity to commercialize Low cost feedstocks converted into high value/cost energy Courtesy of Renewable Energy Systems, Inc and Wayne Keith